Shoe insert

Abstract

An insert, particularly for athletic shoes, is removably fitted over or affixed atop the top surface of the insole of the shoe and comprises a thin section of non-absorbant, thermally non-conductive thermoplastic material which is deformable to conform to the shape of the insole. The insert is formed with a plurality of spaced apertures to permit the passage of air and moisture between the sock and insole. The coefficient of friction of the uppermost surface of the insert is approximately equal to that of the skin of the foot so that movement of the foot and sock within the shoe is limited to reduce the incidence of turf toe, while permitting at least some motion of the foot and sock within the shoe especially during sudden stops or starts to avoid blistering of the foot.

Wherefore I claim: 
     
       1. An insert for a shoe having an insole comprising: a thin section of non-absorbent, thermally non-conductive material adapted to overlie at least a portion of the insole of the shoe, said section being deformable to conform to the shape of the insole;   said section being formed with a plurality of apertures to permit the passage of air and moisture from a foot and sock resting atop said section to the insole beneath said section;   said section having an uppermost surface with a coefficient of friction approximately equal to the coefficient of friction of the skin of the foot so as to limit movement of the foot and sock with respect to the insole to reduce the incidence of turf toe while permitting at least some movement of the foot and sock relative to the insole to reduce blistering of the foot.   
     
     
       2. The insert of claim 1 in which said section is formed of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. 
     
     
       3. The insert of claim 1 in which said apertures are square in shape, each side of said square aperture being about 0.100 inch in length. 
     
     
       4. The insert of claim 3 in which said section is formed with about 36 of said square apertures in each square inch of area thereof. 
     
     
       5. The insert of claim 1 in which said apertures are triangular in shape. 
     
     
       6. The insert of claim 1 in which said apertures are hexagonal in shape. 
     
     
       7. The insert of claim 1 in which said thin section further includes an outer, perimeter wall and a plurality of intersecting walls extending interiorly of and being connected to said perimeter wall. 
     
     
       8. The insert of claim 7 in which said intersecting walls are oriented in an array of spaced columns and spaced rows, said columns intersecting said rows at regular intervals to form square apertures therebetween. 
     
     
       9. The insert of claim 7 in which said outer perimeter wall and said intersecting walls are each formed with a uppermost, arcuate surface for engagement with the sock or foot of the wearer of the shoe. 
     
     
       10. An insert for a shoe having an insole comprising: a thin section of non-absorbent, thermally non-conductive material adapted to overlie at least a portion of the insole of the shoe, said section being deformable to conform to the shape of the insole;   said section being formed with a plurality of apertures to permit the passage of air and moisture from a foot and sock resting atop said section to the insole beneath said section;   said section having an uppermost surface contacting the sock with the frictional force therebetween being approximately equal to the frictional force between the sock and the foot of the wearer so as to limit movement of the foot and sock with respect to the insole to reduce the incidence of turf toe while permitting at least some movement of the foot and sock relative to the insole to reduce blistering of the foot.   
     
     
       11. A shoe comprising; a bottom sole;   an insole mounted atop said bottom sole, said insole having a top surface;   an isert overlying at least a portion of said top surface of said insole, said insert being formed of a non-absorbant, thermally non-conductive deformable material;   said insert being formed with a plurality of apertures to permit the passage of air and moisture from a foot and sock resting atop said insert to said insole beneath said insert;   said insert having an uppermost surface with a coefficient of friction approximately equal to the coefficient of friction of the skin of the foot so as to limit movement of the foot and sock with respect to the insole to reduce the incidence of turf toe while permitting at least some movement of the foot and sock relative to the insole to reduce blistering of the foot.   
     
     
       12. A shoe comprising: a bottom sole;   an insole mounted atop said bottom sole, said insole having a top surface;   an insert overlying at least a portion of said top surface of said insole, said insert being formed of a non-absorbant, thermally non-conductive deformable material;   said insert being formed with a pluality of apertures to permit the passage of air and moisture from a foot and sock resting atop said insert to said insole beneath said insert;   said insert having an uppermost surface contacting the sock with the frictional force therebetween being approximately equal to the frictional force between the sock and the foot of the wearer so as to limit movement of the foot and sock with respect to the insole to reduce the incidence to turf toe while permitting at least some movement of the foot and sock relative to the insole to reduce blistering of the foot.